The leader of South Kesteven District council has pledged not to 'sit quietly' and let health provision slip away from Grantham Hospital.

His promise came at an extraordinary meeting of South Kesteven District Council this afternoon, called by a cross-party group of councillors following changes made by United Lincolnshire Trust (ULHT) to services at Grantham Hospital.

Last month, the trust voted to 'downgrade' the hospital's A&E services to a Urgent Treatment Centre, but by making the hospital 'covid-free' the trust plans to offer more services such as cancer treatment.

Coun Cooke said the unity of councillors showed the 'dismay' SKDC had for the move and 'further alarm bells are ringing' at news today that 175 clinical staff are being redeployed from Grantham Hospital following the 'temporary changes.'

Grantham, he continued, was a town with a huge potential , and a nothing less than the right healthcare provision will do, to support council plans to improve Grantham.

The council leader paid tribute to hospital campaigners, including Cllrs Ray and Linda Wootton, Mark Whittington, Ian

Selby, Adam Stokes and Charmaine Morgan, "who have been particularly forthright in their determination to hold the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust to account for their actions." He continued: "I would also like to thank the many campaigners for their continuous commitment to this vital cause. "We heard from several campaign representatives during the public session shortly before this meeting, organised to ensure that despite the challenges of virtual meetings, they

rightly had a platform and we could hear their views.

"Before proceeding, I would like to be clear that as a council we are unanimous on this issue and we are working closely with Lincolnshire County Council so that we have a strong and united voice.

"The future of Grantham and District Hospital is a passionate issue than transcends party political views and local authority boundaries. "

Coun Cooke also explained: "The issue goes beyond the provision of an around-the-clock urgent treatment centre. We need to ensure that our growth is supported by the provision of an appropriate health infrastructure as an integral part of

Grantham's expansion and regeneration." He also commented: "Some of the temporary measures given the green light by the Health Trust last month are to be welcomed, namely the return of 24/7 walk-in access to care at Grantham, along with: â—the provision of a specialist cancer care and treatment unit; â—elective and planned surgery; and â—the sensible separation of areas within the hospital to enable the safe care of patients suffering from Covid-19, and those needing other treatment. "However, I am seriously concerned that these measures, due to remain in place until 31 March 2021, do not reflect future needs nor current demands, and that the restoration plan will have a significant impact on patients throughout Lincolnshire in terms of excessive travel and the downgrading of Grantham A&E. "The closure of all medical wards is not acceptable to any of us. As you know, I have spoken with our local MPs, Gareth Davies, and Caroline Johnson. Their joint letter to the Trust's Chief Executive, Andrew Morgan, has made their position clear. Grantham has their united support and they will fight tirelessly to protect the future of this town's hospital. "The Government has also written off over £340m of the

Trust's debt. Health does not fall within our remit. We are not responsible for any decisions that can impact directly on this important issue. But we do have a voice. We must ensure that we focus our attention and efforts where the decisions will be made, the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust.

"This is why I wholly support the proposal brought forward by Councillor Mark Whittington, which echoes concerns and calls for action from Lincolnshire's Health Scrutiny Committee.

"I would like to formally record our support for written assurance from United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust that:

â—the closure of the medical beds is a temporary change and that medical inpatient beds will be reinstated with the required medical cover as is currently provide;

â—the investment at Pilgrim Hospital will not result in any down grading of facilities for emergency or urgent care;

â—consultation to achieve substantial changes in line with the Healthy Conversation is undertaken as soon as possible.

Coun Cooke concluded: "I cannot recall a peacetime period in our recent history, when our NHS has been more valued or needed than during these last few months.

"Our health service has always been treasured, but the selflessness and bravery of all those who work on the wards, in whatever capacity, has truly humbled us all throughout Covid-19.

"There is nothing more important than good health. For that we need good healthcare. I am not prepared to sit quietly by and allow that provision within our town to slip silently away. "